Parque Ecológico y Deportivo Huayamilpas

How it came about. In the 1970s this ground was a rubbish dump. Residents organised themselves as the Alianza Ecologista Nacional and managed to turn part of it into football and basketball courts; it was formally recognised as a park in 1993, and during restoration works in 2008 a natural lake was uncovered on the site. It is one of the clearest examples in the city of a park won by its neighbours rather than planned from above.

What is there now. The lake, sports courts, running paths, play areas and a cultural centre used for workshops. It works as an everyday park: runners early, families in the afternoon, football at weekends.

Getting there. In colonia Ajusco Huayamilpas, Coyoacán, between Ciudad Universitaria and the Pedregal. Universidad station on metro Line 3 is the closest, with local buses along Avenida Aztecas.